Karnataka BJP told by central leaders not to destabilise coalition govt: Yeddyurappa
Bengaluru, May 31: Allaying fears that the BJP was trying to weaken the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka, the saffron party's state president B S Yeddyurappa Friday said central leaders have asked the state unit not to indulge in any activity to "destabilise" the H D Kumaraswamy ministry.
Yeddyurappa also asked the coalition partners to concentrate on the development of the state and made it clear that his party will not make any attempts to engineer the fall of the government.
The JD(S)-Congress coalition dispensation has been trying to avert a potential existential crisis after the drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.
I want to tell you one thing. I'm coming from Delhi. Our Delhi leaders have told us not to indulge in any activity to destabilise this government, Yeddyurappa told reporters here.
He alleged Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah was behind the ongoing political circus in the state for self gains.
We will remain silent for now. Anything may happen because of their infighting, but we will not make any attempts to pull this government down by making Congress-JD(S) MLAs to switch sides, this is the clear instructions from Delhi, he said.
The statement by Yeddyurappa gains significance in view of heightened activities by the alliance partners to save the coalition amid fears of BJP intensifying its onslaught on it.
The coalition's worries have multiplied after the BJP's spectacular win with 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in its pocket, leaving a mere one seat each to the Congress and JDS, which, despite a joint fight, were swept away by the Modi wave.
Also, growing unrest within the party and threat by rebel MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi to quit Congress along with other MLAs has worried the leadership, as it would trigger a number game in the assembly.
In a bid to placate the disgruntled MLAs, the Congress has been mulling expansion of the one-year old ministry or a reshuffle.
The BJP and Yeddyurappa had earlier predicted the collapse of the coalition after the LS poll results, claiming 20 odd Congress MLAs were unhappy and may take "a decision" anytime.
Asking the Congress and the JD(S) to focus on the development of the state and on drought relief measures, Yeddyurappa said: "Let them waive farmers' loan as promised. We are not craving for power; we are not in need of it also."
He said BJP had the strength to work as an opposition. "We have our government in Delhi. With honesty we will work as opposition. We don't have any reservations as long as they (state government) carry on the developmental works, Yeddyurappa added.
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Correspondents' dinner firing: World leaders say political violence has no place in democracy
Washington (PTI): World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania and Vice President J D Vance were safe and unharmed after a security incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington.
Modi said violence has no place in democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.
"Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi said in a post on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a “disturbing event”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney said in a post on X.
President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung asserted that political violence “can never be justified under any circumstances.”
“The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law,” he said in a social media post.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi said, “Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world”
“I am relieved to hear that President Trump is safe following the terrifying gunfire. Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world,” she posted on social media.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “an attack on all the democracies.”
"This wasn't just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy, it was an attack on all the democracies,” he posted on social media.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was “good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events”.
“We send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,” she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
Delcy Rodriguez, the acting President of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, condemned the attack against Trump.
"We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace," she wrote on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took to social media to condemn the incident, stating he was "deeply shocked" to hear the news.
"Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe," Sharif said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
